# US 2013/0152985 A1 · Inflatable umbrella > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0152985 A1 - Document ID: US20130152985A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/812,399 - Filed: 2011-07-25 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-26 - Assignees: RB Holding GmbH - Inventors: Rolf Vaitl - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152985A1 ## CPC - A45B 19/02: Inflatable umbrellas; Umbrellas without ribs - A45B 25/165: {with fluid or electric actuators} - A45B: WALKING STICKS (walking aids, e.g. sticks, for blind persons A61H3/06); UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS (cane or umbrella stands or holders A47G25/12) ## Abstract An inflatable umbrella has an inflatable covering made from a flexible material. In an inflated state, said covering forms at least the following elements: a central holding element, at least three umbrella strut elements extending away from the central holding element, and at least one umbrella surface element stretched out by the umbrella strut elements. In this case, the central holding element and each umbrella strut element are supported against each other at the respective contact point thereof. In the inflated state, the umbrella has greater stability and resistance to external forces in comparison to previously known inflatable umbrellas. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inflatable umbrella with an inflatable envelope made of a flexible material, which in an inflated state comprises: a central holding element; at least three umbrella strut elements extending away from the central holding element; and at least one umbrella surface element stretched open by the umbrella strut elements, wherein the central holding element and each umbrella strut element are supported against each other at a respective contact point. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein two respective adjoining umbrella strut elements are supported against each other at their respective contact points. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein an imaginary center axis of a first umbrella strut element intersects with an imaginary center axis of a second umbrella strut element adjoining the first umbrella strut element, on a first side of the first umbrella strut element, outside of an imaginary center axis of the central holding element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein an imaginary center axis of a first umbrella strut element and an imaginary center axis of a second umbrella strut element adjoining the first umbrella strut element, on a first side of the first umbrella strut element, are askew to each other and a span of extremely short length between the imaginary center axis of the first umbrella strut element and the imaginary center axis of the second umbrella strut element it on the first side of the first umbrella strut element does not intersect with an imaginary center axis of the central holding element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein a first umbrella strut element and a second umbrella strut element adjoining it the first umbrella strut element, on a first side of the first umbrella strut element, are supported against each other at a contact point, which is located at an end of the first umbrella strut element oriented toward the second umbrella strut element on the first side of the first umbrella strut element, while the first umbrella strut element and a third umbrella strut element adjoining the first umbrella strut element on a second side of the first umbrella strut element are supported against each other at a contact point, which is located at an end of the third umbrella strut element adjoining the second side oriented toward the first umbrella strut element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the central holding element increases in a penultimate section of the central holding element before the umbrella strut elements and decreases in a final section of the central holding element before the umbrella strut elements and a cross-sectional area of each respective umbrella strut element increases in a penultimate section of the respective umbrella strut element before the central holding element and decreases in a final section of the umbrella strut element before the central holding element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein an end of the central holding element oriented toward the umbrella strut elements is embodied as essentially pyramid-shaped, a cross-sectional area of the central holding element forms a base of a pyramid, and a respective contact point of the central holding element and a respective umbrella strut element is situated on a respective side surface of the pyramid. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein an end of each respective umbrella strut element oriented toward the central holding element is embodied as essentially pyramid-shaped, a cross-sectional area of each respective umbrella strut element forms a base of a pyramid, a respective contact point of the respective umbrella strut element and the central holding element is situated on a first side surface of the pyramid, a contact point of the respective umbrella strut element and an umbrella strut element adjoining it on a first side is situated on a second side surface of the pyramid, and a contact point of the respective umbrella strut element and an umbrella strut element adjoining it on a second side is situated on a third side surface of the pyramid. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein the umbrella comprises a compressible material and a valve and through compression of the compressible material, a gaseous substance for inflation can be aspirated via the valve and conveyed into an interior of the inflatable envelope. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The umbrella as recited in claim 9, wherein the compressible material is enclosed by an envelope composed of a flexible material whose one end is connected to the valve and whose other end forms an inner tube valve, wherein the gaseous substance can be conveyed into the interior of the inflatable envelope via the inner tube valve. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The umbrella as recited in claim 9, wherein the compressible material is a material with a foam structure that can be successively compressed by an increasing pressure in the inflatable envelope so that a pumping power that can be achieved with the compressible material decreases and excessive pressure does not build up in the inflatable envelope. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The umbrella as recited in claim 9, wherein the compressible material is situated in a handle of the central holding element with a changed cross-sectional area and can be compressed through manual pumping actions executed by a user. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein at least two chemical substances are situated separately from each other in the inflatable envelope; when the at least two chemical substances are brought into contact with each other, a chemical reaction is triggered, generating a gaseous substance that inflates the inflatable envelope. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein the umbrella has a telescoping handle and before an inflation, the inflatable envelope is contained inside the telescoping handle; and the inflation can be produced by pumping actions of the telescoping handle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The umbrella as recited in claim 1, wherein the inflatable envelope has at least one valve and can be inflated and/or deflated via the valve.